Articles and Compositions for Enhancing Sports Scores

ABSTRACT

Methods and compositions for enhancing the score of an individual in a sport activity are disclosed.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation application of U.S. Ser. No.12/951,250, filed on Nov. 22, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,399,397, whichis a divisional application of U.S. Ser. No. 11/617,039, filed on Dec.28, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,838,486, which claims priority under 35U.S.C. §119(e) to Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/754,499,filed on Dec. 28, 2005, the entire disclosure of which is herebyincorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to improving an individual's score in theperformance of a sport by the administration of odorants to theindividual.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The sport of bowling has existed for over 7,000 years, having beendiscovered in Egyptian ruins in about 5200 BC. Its popularity haspersisted over the years and millions of Americans bowl each year.

While typically considered to be a recreational sport, bowling hasevolved to be part of the current competitive experience. As such, minorvariations in bowling score can have substantial impact on outcome.Factors that can influence performance include underlying physicalcapacity, skill, past learned techniques, hand-eye coordination, degreeof alertness, affective state, motivation, self-efficacy, and accuracyin predicting vector analysis concurrent with physical placement ofthese vectors (Boyce et al., J. Teaching in Physical Education16:312-323 (1997)). In addition, the physical surroundings and ambientenvironment of a bowler is typically a turbulent sensory invasion: acacophony of sounds from fellow bowlers and pins falling, akaleidoscopic image of bowlers blurring the peripheral visual field, andan assault on gestation and olfaction by beer and pizza, superimposedupon by the aroma of stale cigarettes and old bowling shoes. Scientificstudies of the effect of these factors on the performance of bowlers issparse.

Ambient aromas have been demonstrated to impact strength, leisure timeactivities, and cognitive tests involving precise hand-eye coordination(Raudenbush et al., J. Sport and Exercise Psychology 23: 156-160(2001)). Certain odors have been shown to influence perception ondifferent sensory spheres including perception of age, weight, andexternal space.

It would be useful to provide a means of enhancing an individual'sperformance in a sport activity that is non-invasive, convenient, safe,and easy to administer.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to methods of using odorants to enhance anindividual's score in the performance of a sport-related activity by theadministration of a composition comprising an odorant or mixture ofodorants for sniffing and inhalation by an individual into the nasalpassageway. In particular, the method involves delivering an effectiveamount or concentration of an odorant or mixture of odorants to anindividual for continuously inhaling during the performance of a sportto enhance the individual's performance of the sport activity by animproved score compared to a base score by the individual when the sportactivity is performed without inhalation of the odorant.

In an exemplary embodiment of the method, a composition is administeredto an individual to inhale while bowling that comprises a jasmineodorant as the primary or dominant odor (aroma) of the composition toincrease the bowling score of the individual compared the score achievedby the individual without inhaling the jasmine odorant composition by astatistically significant amount (p<0.05).

As used herein, the term “odorant” refers to an odor-causing chemicalcompound or mixture of compounds that, when delivered in a gaseous oraerosol medium, can stimulate olfactory and/or trigeminal chemoreceptorsin the nasal cavity and cause a physiological or psychological response.A hedonically positive odorant or odorant mixture is one to which theindividual has a pleasant or positive reaction to its scent. Ahedonically negative odorant or odorant mixture is one to which theindividual has a repulsive or negative reaction to its scent. Ahedonically neutral odorant or odorant mixture is one to which theindividual has neither a positive nor negative reaction.

In a preferred embodiment, the subject individual is presented with thecomposition containing a suprathreshold concentration (e.g., about 25-55decismel units) of the odorant or odorant mixture that is near but notso high as to become an irritant (trigeminal), which the individualinhales while performing the activity. The level or concentration of theodorant or odorant mixture within the composition and/or mode ofadministering the composition is sufficient to overcome competing orconflicting ambient odors that may act to nullify its effect.

An odorant is presented at a “suprathreshold” level when the decismellevel or concentration of the odorant is beyond that needed to bedetected by a normosmic individual. At its irritative level, the odorantquantity is so high and intense that the odorant stimulatespredominantly the trigeminal nerve (for pain) rather than the olfactorynerve and, hence, is perceived as noxious or painful. The irritationthreshold of the patient is the lowest concentration of the substancethat causes immediate stinging or burning sensations in the nose, orstinging or lacrimation of the eye. (See, J. F. Gent, in ClinicalMeasurement of Taste and Smell, pages 107-166, H. L. Meiselman et al.(eds.), 602 pp., MacMillan, NY (1986); R. L. Doty et al., Ann. Neurol.25: 166-171 (1989); E. Koss et al., Neurology 38: 1228-1232 (1988); andR. Doty, The Smell Identification Test: Administration Manual 1983:13-14, Philadelphia: Sensonics, Inc. (1983)).

If desired, prior to the administration of the odorant, the subjectindividual can undergo olfactory testing according to a test such as theUniversity of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test (UPSIT), a40-question forced-choice, scratch-and-sniff identification test, andthe Chicago Smell Test, a 3-item detection and identification test (R.Doty, The Smell Identification Test: Administration Manual 1983: 13-14,Philadelphia: Sensonics, Inc. (1983); A.R. Hirsch et al., ChemicalSenses 18(5): 570-571 (1993); A. R. Hirsch et al., Chemical Senses17(5): 643 (1992)).

The subject individual can also be evaluated for olfactory capacity(e.g. loss of smell) according to an olfactory threshold test as knownand used in the art. Such a test provides a precise magnitude of loss ofsmell and classifies the individual as normosmic, hyposmic or anosmic,which is useful in assessing the effectiveness of a particular odorantand/or the required concentration of the odorant, preferably asuprathreshold and near but below irritant level, to provide the desiredeffect according to the method of the invention. According to that test,an odorant substance such as butyl alcohol, phenyl ethyl alcohol, orpyridine, is combined in an odorless liquid medium to provide a seriesof dilutions, or binary steps, of the odorant. For each successivebinary step up the dilution scale, the odorant is present, for example,at one half the concentration of the preceding step. The highestconcentration of the odorant usually provides the substance at anirritant level. The individual is presented with the series of dilutionsin ascending order, and is asked to compare each dilution step to atleast one control stimulus, such as odorless propylene glycol.

In the art, a “normosmic” individual is one who can detect the odor of asubstance without irritant sensations when the odorant is presented withthe range of its average normal threshold. A “hyposmic” or “microsmic”individual has reduced capacity of the olfactory nerve being able todetect an odorant substance by its odor at a concentration, or decismellevel, above that of a normosmic individual yet below its irritantconcentration level. An “anosmic” individual is one who has essentiallyno olfactory nerve capacity being unable to detect the odor of theodorant substance, but has trigeminal nerve function, being able todetect an odorant substance by means of irritant, tingling sensationswhen it is present at an irritant concentration. A patient who is ableto detect pyridine vapor by means of irritant, tingling sensationscaused by stimulation of the trigeminal nerve, but who cannotdistinguish a pyridine odor at a lower concentration without suchsensation, is considered to be anosmic having no olfactory nervesensitivity.

Ranges of the average normal threshold for various odorant substancescan be found in the art, for example, Amoore and O′Neill, “Proposal forUnifying Scale to Express Olfactory Thresholds and Odor Levels: The“Decismel Scale”,” in Proceedings of the 1988 Air Pollution controlAssociation Annual Meeting, Paper No. 78.5 (21 pp.), Air and WasteManagement Association, Pittsburgh, Pa. (1988); Amoore and Haotala,“Odor as an Aid to Chemical Safety: Odor Thresholds Compared withThreshold Limit Values and Volatiles for 214 Industrial Chemicals in Airand Water Dilution,” J. Appl. Toxicology 3(6):272-290 (1983).

A suprathreshold amount is a concentration of the odorant/odorantmixture that is greater than the average normal threshold concentrationof the odorant or mixture. The normal threshold concentration can bedetermined by administering a series of the same concentrations of theodorant/odorant mixture to a control group of at least 25 individualswho do not have a chemosensory dysfunction, and calculating the meanthreshold concentration detected by the group of 25 individuals. Anotheralternative is to refer to the known threshold concentration value forthe odorant/odorant mixture that has been established previously andpublished by J. Amoore et al., J. Appl. Toxicology, 3:272 (1983).

Odor thresholds can be expressed on the decismel scale. The decismelscale is constructed by setting the mean threshold concentration of achemosensory agent detected by the control group of 20 year olds at the“0” value. A decismel is calculated by dividing the concentration of theodorant detected by the patient by the normal threshold concentration(using the published value or empirically determining the value) andthen taking the logarithm of the quotient. The logarithm of the quotientis then multiplied by 20 to obtain the decismel value. Decismel valuescan be positive or negative. A positive decismel value indicates thepatient is less sensitive to the odorant, i.e. has a higher thresholddetection concentration. A negative decismel value indicates that thepatient is more sensitive to the compound, i.e. has a lower thresholddetection concentration. An increase in the threshold concentrationvalue over the mean threshold concentration value of 2 fold correspondsto 6 decismels (or ds). Determination of decismel units is known in theart, as addressed, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,380,765 and5,492,934 (Hirsch).

In another aspect, the invention provides compositions containing aneffective amount of an odorant or mixture of odorants such that, wheninhaled by an individual while performing a sport activity, the score ofthe individual is substantially improved. Depending on the nature of thesport, this result can be evidenced by an increased score (e.g.,bowling) or by a decreased score (e.g., golf) as compared to theindividual's score when the activity is performed while not inhaling theodorant composition (i.e., a control). Such an effect can be objectivelyassessed and measured by the score of a defined parameter (e.g., adefined number of frames in bowling, etc.) when played with and withoutadministration of the odorant composition.

The concentration of the odorant or mixture of odorants is preferably ata suprathreshold concentration and preferably near but not an irritantconcentration at a decismel level of about 25-55 decismel units,preferably greater than 25 decismel units, preferably at about 30-55decismel units.

In an exemplary embodiment, the composition contains an effective amountof a jasmine odorant as the dominant (primary) odor or essence toincrease an individual's bowling score (based on a defined number offrames) by about 25-30% when directly and continuously inhaled by theindividual while performing the activity, compared to the individual'sbowling score without inhaling the jasmine odorant composition.

The odorant or odorant mixture is provided as a formulated compositionof a single essential odorant or a blend (mixture) of the essentialodorants to cause the desired effect, and eliminates odorants thatcompete with or mask the effective odorant(s). The odorant or odorantblend composition can be administered in combination with an odorlesscarrier such as mineral oil or water, and odorless additives such aspreservatives and the like. The odorant composition can be formulatedwith a viscosity effective to allow for aerosolization or to provide athick gel or cream.

A preferred odorant composition is a formulation that essentiallycomprises a jasmine odorant and eliminates odorants that compete withthe jasmine odorant accords or notes to provide a full effect on theindividual inhaling the odorant composition. A jasmine odorant, andother odorants for use in the present methods, are commerciallyavailable as a liquid, essential oil, extract, or other form from avariety of sources, including, for example, Energy Essentials,AromaTech, Inc. (Somerville, N.J.), Florasynth, Inc. (Teterboro, N.J.),International Flavors and Fragrances, Inc. (IFF; New York, N.Y.), amongothers.

In one embodiment, the composition can consist essentially of asuprathreshold and non-irritant concentration of one or more odorantssuch that, when inhaled by an individual, the composition is effectiveto improve a score of the individual in a sport activity by astatistically significant amount compared to the individual's score uponperforming said sport activity without inhalation of the composition.For example, the composition can consist essentially of a jasmineodorant in a carrier such that, when inhaled by an individual, thecomposition is effective to increase the individual's bowling score of aset number of frames by a statistically significant amount compared tothe individual's bowling score for the same number of frames withoutinhaling the composition. In another example, the composition can becomposed of a mixture of odorants in a carrier, including asuprathreshold and non-irritant concentration of a jasmine odorant incombination with a less than suprathreshold concentration of one or moreodorants that complement and do not mask the jasmine odorant, such that,when inhaled by an individual, the composition is effective to improve ascore of the individual in a sport activity by a statisticallysignificant amount.

The odorant composition is preferably formulated as a liquid solution ora spray, but can also be provided in the form of a cream, lotion, orother consistency, and can be contained within a liquid pump device,aerosol or non-aerosol spray device, lidded container, a blister pack,or other suitable vessel such as those known and used in the art. Theodorant composition can also be contained in a solid form within acapped vessel. It is preferred that the odorant composition is providedin a portable dispenser that is easily transportable and readilyaccessible.

In conducting the method of the invention, the odorant composition isadministered for direct and continuous inhalation by the subjectindividual during performance of a sport activity. Such administrationcan be achieved, for example, by applying an effective amount of theodorant composition in an effective concentration directly to the faceof the individual below the nostrils, or to a cloth or paper materialsuch as a mask (e.g., a surgical mask, dust-type mask, earloop facemask, and the like) that is then secured over the nostrils of thesubject individual.

In another embodiment, the composition can be administered by means of aflexible laminate material (e.g., patch) sized to fit beneath the nosethat incorporates the odorant composition and has a pressure-sensitiveadhesive layer (covered by a release layer) that allows the material toadhere to skin and which is positioned under the nostrils of theindividual, as described, for example in U.S. Pat. No. 6,769,428(Cronk).

In yet another embodiment, the odorant composition can be administeredthrough the use of a portable delivery device operable to providecontinuous delivery of a vaporous emission of the odorant compositionthrough cannulla (tubes) inserted into the nostrils of the individual asdescribed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,803,987 (Manne). Otherdelivery systems can be used for delivery of the odorant composition tothe individual.

Odorants or odorant mixtures can be readily screened and assessed foreffectiveness in enhancing performance in a sport or sport relatedactivity according to the invention. For example, a compositioncontaining an odorant or mixture of odorants can be administered to anindividual for inhalation to evaluate its effect on modifying a score ofa sport activity such as bowling, for example, which can be manifestedby an increased bowling score compared to the score achieved when theactivity is performed without inhaling the odorant composition.Optionally, the individual can be questioned as to a positive ornegative reaction to the pleasantness of the scent to assess thehedonics of the odorant composition.

An exemplary method of screening a composition formulated with anodorant or a mixture of odorants for effectively altering anindividual's sport score or performance can comprise the steps of:

-   -   a) having an individual perform a sport activity (for example,        bowling a predetermined number of frames) without inhalation of        the target odorant composition and tallying the score (“control        score”);    -   b) having the individual re-perform the sport activity from        step a) while continuously inhaling a suprathreshold but        non-irritant concentration of a composition consisting        essentially of the test odorant or odorants, and tallying the        score to provide a “test score”;    -   c) comparing the control score to the test score to determine        the statistical significance between the two scores; and    -   e) eliminating the odorant or odorant mixture as being        ineffective to enhance performance of the individual in the        sport activity if not statistically significant (p<0.05).

The screening test as well as the method of the invention can includeother steps such as having the inhaling individual identify thecomposition as hedonically positive, neutral or negative, and testingolfactory ability and/or olfactory capacity of the individual, amongother olfactory tests known and used in the art.

According to the invention, a composition comprising the odorant orodorant mixture is continuously dispensed as a vaporous emission to thenostrils of an individual for inhalation of a concentration effective toenhance the individual's score in a sport activity, with bowling beingan exemplary activity using a jasmine-based composition. Such an effectcan be assessed and measured objectively by comparing the sport scoreachieved with and without the administration of the odorant composition.

The odorant composition can be packaged as part of an article ofmanufacture, or kit. In one embodiment, the article of manufacture cancomprise a container of an odorant composition or, packaged together, acontainer of a first odorant and a container of a second odorant (etc.)for combining together to form the odorant composition. The odorantcomposition comprises an odorant or mixture of odorants in asuprathreshold and but non-irritant concentration, and preferably near anon-irritant concentration, effective to substantially enhance anindividual's sports score when administered according to the method ofthe invention.

In a preferred embodiment, the composition consists essentially of ajasmine odorant. For example, the article of manufacture can comprise acontainer of an odorant composition consisting essentially of a jasmineodorant, or of one or more odorants of which a jasmine odorant is thedominant odor or essence, and a device for use in delivery of thecomposition to a subject individual during the performance of the sportactivity, for example, a mask for placement over the nose of theindividual, a device for applying the composition directly to the skinunder the nostrils of the individual, among others.

The kit can further include one or more elements for testing theindividual, that can be separately packaged, including a device foradministering odorant(s) for testing olfactory ability of the individual(e.g., UPSIT), and/or a device for administering a series of odorantsfor testing olfactory threshold of the individual (e.g., pyridinedilution series).

The article of manufacture can further comprise written or other formatof instructions (e.g., C.D., video, cassette tapes, etc.) for use of theodorant composition for enhancing sport performance in a methodaccording to the invention, including, but not limited to increasing anindividual's bowling score. In another embodiment, the article ofmanufacture can comprise packaging material and an odorant compositionaccording to the invention contained within the packaging material,wherein the packaging material comprises a label that indicates that theodorant composition can be used for enhancing sport performance and/orimprove a sports score. The article of manufacture can also include anodorant composition and instructions for testing olfactory thresholdaccording methods known in the art. The parts of the article ofmanufacturing can be contained or separately packaged within a packagingmaterial, such as a box, bag, pouch, and the like.

The invention will be further described by reference to the followingdetailed example. This example is not meant to limit the scope of theinvention that has been set forth in the foregoing description.Variation within the concepts of the invention is apparent to thoseskilled in the art. The disclosures of the cited references throughoutthe application are incorporated by reference herein.

EXAMPLE

Methods. Twenty subjects, in a randomized fashion, bowled one frame (10pins) while wearing a blank surgical mask (control, Aroma #1) and oneframe while wearing a mask impregnated with a jasmine aroma (odorant)(Aroma #2). The individuals also rated the hedonics of the maskimpregnated with the jasmine odorant. The jasmine odorant was fromInternational Flavors & Fragrances, Inc., Hazlet, N.J.

The subjects were handed a sheet of paper to fill out as follows:

Name: Age: Aroma #1 Bowling First Ball:       (# of pins) Bowling SecondBall:       (# of pins) On Scale of 1-10, with 10 being a “very nicesmell”, 5 being “neutral”, and 0 being “don't like smell at all”, ratearoma:       Aroma #2 Bowling First Ball:       (# of pins) BowlingSecond Ball:       (# of pins) On Scale of 1-10, with 10 being a “verynice smell”, 5 being “neutral”, and 0 being “don't like smell at all”,rate aroma:      

Results. The results are shown in the following table.

The “Rating” category presents the individual's rating of the hedonicsof the blank (control) mask and the odorant mask on a scale of 1-10, inwhich a rating of five (5) indicated a neutral hedonic, a rating ofgreater than five (>5) indicated a positive hedonic, a rating of lessthan five (<5) indicated a negative hedonic.

Aroma #1 Aroma #2 Rating Rating Subject 1^(st) Ball 2^(nd) Ball (hedon-1^(st) Ball 2^(nd) Ball (hedon- Number Age (# pins) (# pins) ics) (#pins) (# pins) ics) 1 17 3 5 5 8 2 10 2 15 1 2 6 6 4 3 3 14 10 0 5 10 08 4 16 3 4 7 0 8 3 5 16 0 1 5 0 2 2 6 15 0 5 5 1 9 6 7 16 7 1 6 1 2 8 816 5 2 5 9 1 6 9 17 8 0 5 9 1 8 10 17 4 2 5 6 3 7 11 16 2 3 7 3 4 8 1217 1 4 4 2 6 5 13 15 0 7 5 3 4 3 14 17 9 0 5 1 9 4 15 16 1 6 6 4 3 8 1617 6 4 5 5 5 8 17 17 6 1 5 10 0 2 18 16 3 2 6 2 5 7 19 16 4 1 4 5 5 6 2016 8 1 3 7 2 6 Totals 81 51 92 75 n = 20 132 167 Totals 65 47 77 70 n =18 112 147 Totals 62 36 72 78 n = 14 98 120

The Table below summarizes the results of the bowling scores. It isnoted that test subject #3 had two strikes and a hedonic rating of thejasmine odorant ≧5, and test subject #17 had one strike and a hedonicrating of <5.

Mean ± SD Total No. of Pins: Difference Score Blank Mask (Scented minusPaired T-test Sample (Control) Scented Mask Control) t-score (p-value) n= 20 (full sample) 6.60 ± 2.28 8.35 ± 2.35 +1.75 ± 2.49 +3.14 (p =.0053) n = 19 (eliminate #3) 6.42 ± 2.19 8.26 ± 2.38 +1.84 ± 2.52 +3.18(p = .0051) n = 18 (eliminate #3 & #17) 6.39 ± 2.25 8.17 ± 2.41 +1.78 ±2.58 +2.92 (p = .0095) n = 14 (hedonic rating ≧5) 7.00 ± 1.88 8.57 ±2.03 +1.57 ± 2.53 +2.32 (p = .0372) n = 13 (hedonic rating ≧5, and 6.77± 1.74 8.46 ± 2.07 +1.69 ± 2.59 +2.35 (p = .0366) eliminate #3)

Discussion. With the total group of twenty subjects (n=20), the averagescore when wearing the blank (control) mask was 6.60 pins per frame,whereas the average score when wearing the jasmine odorant mask was 8.35pins per frame. The results were statistically significant (p<0.05).

Upon eliminating a ceiling effect (i.e., a score of 10 pins per frame onthe best ball for subjects #3 and #17, or n=2), of the eighteenremaining subjects (n=18), the average score when wearing the blank(control) mask was an average of 6.39 pins per frame, and when wearingthe jasmine mask was an average of 8.17 pins per frame.

A subdivision of the group to those subjects having less than 10 pinsper frame on the best ball and who rated the jasmine odorant/aroma asbeing neutral or better (n=14), had a total score of 7.0 pins per framewith the blank mask, and 8.6 pins per frame with the mask with thejasmine odorant.

The results also demonstrated that the hedonics of the jasmine odorantdid not have a significant effect on the bowling scores of the subjectindividuals.

Conclusion. Inhalation of a jasmine odorant had a statisticallysignificant effect on improving bowling scores and performance of thetested individuals.

In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described inlanguage more or less specific as to structural and methodical features.It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not limited tothe specific features shown and described, since the means hereindisclosed comprise preferred forms of putting the invention into effect.The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms ormodifications within the proper scope of the appended claimsappropriately interpreted in accordance with the doctrine ofequivalents. The disclosures of the cited patents, applications, andother references throughout the application are incorporated byreference herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of enhancing performance of anindividual in a sport activity, comprising the step of: administering tothe individual for inhalation an effective amount of a compositioncomprising one or more odorants while performing the sport activity suchthat a score of the individual is improved by a statisticallysignificant amount compared to the individual's score when said sportactivity is performed without inhalation of the composition.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the composition comprises a suprathresholdbut non-irritant concentration of the jasmine odorant.
 3. The method ofclaim 2, wherein the composition comprises a concentration of thejasmine odorant greater than an average normal threshold concentrationof the jasmine odorant, the concentration being about 25-55 decismelunits.
 4. A composition consisting essentially of a suprathreshold andnon-irritant concentration of one or more odorants such that, wheninhaled by an individual, the composition is effective to improve ascore of the individual in a sport activity by a statisticallysignificant amount compared to the individual's score upon performingsaid sport activity without inhalation of the composition.
 5. Acomposition comprising a mixture of odorants in a carrier, said mixtureof odorants comprising a suprathreshold and non-irritant concentrationof a jasmine odorant in combination with a less than suprathresholdconcentration of one or more odorants that complement and do not maskthe jasmine odorant, such that, when inhaled by an individual, thecomposition is effective to improve a score of the individual in a sportactivity by a statistically significant amount compared to the score ofthe individual upon performing said sport activity without inhalation ofthe composition.